8ID starts month-long Christmas celebration

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
December 2, 2010

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan Samar  –  The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army formally kicked off the month-long celebration for the Christmas season with a ceremonial switch-on of Christmas lights held in front of its Headquarters building here.

The switch-on ceremony, preceded by a Christmas lantern contest was witnessed by civilian guests, military personnel, civilian employees, military dependents and other civilian personalities from Catbalogan.

In a simple program Dr. Dominador Q. Cabanganan, Ph.D., one of the judges in the lantern contest, in his message, saluted the 8ID for the good work and acknowledged the Command’s continuing effort of rendering service to the people of Samar Province. He expressed his feelings of delight seeing the craftsmanship of the Stormtroopers as evidenced by the colorful lantern entries made of indigenous materials.  He also, appreciated the 8ID’s unique way of observing the Yuletide Season through the ceremonial switching of Christmas lights that illuminated the entire 8ID Headquarters Building and its peripheries.

Major General Mario F. Chan, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division said that the switch-on of Christmas lights is just one of the activities lined up for the month-long Christmas celebration. Others are Search for Christmas singing soldier, sports fest which aims to promote sports development, camaraderie, esprit-de-corps and sportsmanship among the military personnel and a variety show during the stormtroopers night. The activity will be highlighted by raffle draw among the personnel of the Command.

After the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Chan distributed Certificate of Appreciation to the jurors of Christmas lantern contest which was followed by one minute fireworks presentation while the 8ID choirs with Stormtroopers Band sings Christmas carols to the delight of the audience.